Learning a new language opens up a world of opportunities, enabling you to connect with different cultures and communities. Korean boasts a rich vocabulary when it comes to jobs and professions. Whether you’re planning to work in Korea or simply want to expand your language skills, understanding Korean job-related terms can greatly enhance your language proficiency. In this blog post, we will dive into the fascinating world of Korean vocabulary related to jobs and professions.
Common job titles and professions
Towards the bottom of this article you can find a long list of different jobs and professions but let’s explore some of the most commonly used job titles and professions in Korea, providing you with insights into the diverse workforce of this fascinating country.
Doctors and Healthcare Professionals
South Korea boasts a highly regarded healthcare system, which necessitates a range of specialized medical professionals. Here are a few essential job titles in the medical field:
- 의사 (ui-sa): Doctor
- 간호사 (gan-ho-sa): Nurse
- 약사 (yak-sa): Pharmacist
- 치과의사 (chi-gwa-ui-sa): Dentist
- 한의사 (han-ui-sa): Traditional Korean Medicine Doctor
Educators and Academia
Education is highly valued in Korean society, leading to a vibrant academic sector. Here are some job titles commonly found in the field of education:
- 선생님 (seon-saeng-nim): Teacher
- 교수 (gyo-su): Professor
- 학생 (hak-saeng): Student
- 강사 (gang-sa): Instructor
- 교강사 (gyo-gang-sa): Lecturer
Engineering and Technology
Korea’s robust technological advancements have created a demand for skilled engineers and technology professionals. Here are a few job titles in this field:
- 엔지니어 (en-ji-ni-eo): Engineer
- 개발자 (gae-bal-ja): Developer
- 설계사 (seol-gye-sa): Designer
- 프로젝트 매니저 (peu-ro-jeok-teu me-ni-jeo): Project Manager
- 로봇공학자 (ro-bot-gong-hak-ja): Robotics Engineer
Business and Finance
Korea’s strong economy relies on professionals in the business and finance sectors. Here are some common job titles related to business and finance:
- 회계사 (hoe-gye-sa): Accountant
- 경영자 (gyeong-yeong-ja): Manager
- 영업사원 (yeong-eop-sa-won): Sales Representative
- 투자은행원 (tu-ja-eun-haeng-won): Investment Banker
- 경제학자 (gyeong-je-hak-ja): Economist
Arts and Entertainment
Korea’s vibrant arts and entertainment industry has gained global recognition. Here are a few job titles in this creative field:
- 예술가 (ye-sul-ga): Artist
- 가수 (ga-su): Singer
- 배우 (bae-u): Actor/Actress
- 작가 (jak-ga): Writer
- 감독 (gam-dok): Director
- 아이돌 (a-i-dol): Idol
Job related vocabulary
Proficiency in job-related vocabulary is crucial for effective communication in the professional world, whether you’re seeking employment opportunities, networking, or conducting business in Korean-speaking environments. This blog post aims to equip you with essential job-related Korean vocabulary, empowering you to navigate work-related conversations and enhance your language skills in the context of careers and employment.
Basic Workplace Terminology
- Office: 사무실 (sa-mu-shil)
- Work: 일 (il)
- Meeting: 회의 (hoe-ui)
- Deadline: 마감일 (ma-gam-il)
- Team: 팀 (tim)
- Project: 프로젝트 (peu-ro-jek-teu)
- Task: 업무 (eop-mu)
- Report: 보고서 (bo-go-seo)
- Email: 이메일 (i-me-il)
Job Titles and Professions
- Manager: 매니저 (mae-ni-jeo)
- Director: 이사 (i-sa)
- Employee: 직원 (jik-won)
- Intern: 인턴 (in-teon)
- Specialist: 전문가 (jeon-mun-ga)
- Consultant: 컨설턴트 (keon-seol-teon-teu)
- Entrepreneur: 사업가 (sa-eop-ga)
- Assistant: 보조 (bo-jo)
- Supervisor: 감독 (gam-dok)
Applying for Jobs
- Resume/CV: 이력서 (i-ryeok-seo)
- Interview: 면접 (myeon-jeob)
- Application: 지원서 (ji-won-seo)
- Qualifications: 자격 (ja-gyeok)
- Skills: 기술 (gi-sul)
- Experience: 경험 (gyeong-heom)
- References: 추천서 (chu-cheom-seo)
- Cover letter: 자기소개서 (ja-gi-so-gae-seo)
- Job opening: 채용 공고 (chae-yong gong-go)
Workplace Culture and Etiquette
- Hierarchy: 계층 구조 (gye-cheok gu-jo)
- Respect: 존중 (jon-jung)
- Teamwork: 팀워크 (tim-weo-keu)
- Collaboration: 협력 (hyeop-ryeok)
- Professionalism: 전문성 (jeon-mun-seong)
- Punctuality: 시간 엄수 (si-gan eom-su)
- Dress code: 복장 규정 (bok-jang gyu-jeong)
- Work-life balance: 업무와 생활의 균형 (eop-mu-wa saeng-hwal-ui gyun-hyeong)
Salary and Benefits
- Salary: 월급 (wol-geup)
- Bonus: 보너스 (bo-neo-seu)
- Benefits: 혜택 (hye-taek)
- Vacation: 휴가 (hyu-ga)
- Retirement: 은퇴 (eun-toe)
- Health insurance: 건강 보험 (geon-gang bo-heom)
- Pension: 연금 (yeon-geum)
- Allowance: 수당 (su-dang)
Phrases
Greetings and Introductions
- 안녕하세요 (An-nyeong-ha-se-yo) – Hello/Good day.
- 만나서 반갑습니다. (Man-na-seo ban-gap-seum-ni-da.) – Nice to meet you.
- 저는 [이름]입니다. (Jeo-neun [i-reum]-im-ni-da.) – I am [name].
- 어디에서 일하세요? (Eo-di-e-seo il-ha-se-yo?) – Where do you work?
- 이 일에 대해 어떻게 생각하세요? (I il-e dae-hae eot-teoh-ge saeng-gak-ha-se-yo?) – What are your thoughts on this job?
- 저는 회계삽니다. (Jeo-neun hwe-gye-sam-ni-da). I am an accountant.
Interview
- 감사합니다. 면접 기회를 주셔서요. (Gam-sa-ham-ni-da. Myeon-jeop gi-hoe-reul ju-syeo-seo-yo.) – Thank you for the interview opportunity.
- 회사에 대해 많이 알아봤습니다. (Hoe-sa-e dae-hae man-i a-ra-bwa-sseum-ni-da.) – I have learned a lot about the company.
- 회사의 가치와 목표에 공감합니다. (Hoe-sa-ui ga-chi-wa mok-pyo-e gong-gam-ham-ni-da.) – I resonate with the company’s values and goals.
- 저는 이 일에 열정을 가지고 있습니다. (Jeo-neun i il-e yeol-jeong-eul ga-ji-go is-sseum-ni-da.) – I am passionate about this job.
- 제 경험을 통해 다양한 역량을 발전시켰습니다. (Je gyeong-heom-eul tong-hae da-yang-han yeog-lyeong-eul bal-jeon-sikyeo-sseum-ni-da.) – Through my experience, I have developed diverse skills.
Asking for information
- 무엇을 도와드릴까요? (Mu eos eul do wa deu ril kka yo?) – How can I assist you?
- 이 프로젝트에 대해 설명해 주세요. (I peu ro jek teu-e dae hae seol myeong hae ju se yo.) – Please explain about this project.
- 제가 맡은 업무에 대해 자세히 알려주세요. (Je ga mat-eun eop mu-e dae hae ja se hi al lyeo ju se yo.) – Please provide detailed information about my assigned tasks.
- 제출 기한이 언제인가요? (Je chul gi-han-i eon je in ga yo?) – When is the deadline for submission?
Seeking clarigfication
- 이해가 안 가는 부분이 있습니다. (I hae ga an ga neun bu bun-i its seum ni da.) – There’s a part that I don’t understand.
- 다시 설명해 주실 수 있을까요? (Da si seol myeong hae ju sil su iss eul gga yo?) – Could you please explain it again?
- 이 절차는 어떻게 진행되나요? (I jeol cha-neun eot teoh ge jin haeng doe na yo?) – How does this process proceed?
- 제가 맡은 역할에 대해 더 자세히 알고 싶습니다. (Je ga mat-eun yeog hal-e dae hae deo ja se hi al go sip seum ni da.) – I would like to know more about my role and responsibilities.
Giving and receiving feedback
- 일을 잘 하셨어요. (Ir-eul jal ha-syeo-sseo-yo.) – You did a good job.
- 고생하셨어요. (go-saeng-ha-syeo-sseo-yo) – You did a good job/You worked hard (fixed expression)
- 수고하셨어요. (Su-go ha-seyo-sseo-yo). – You did a good job/You worked hard (fixed expression)
- 더 발전할 수 있는 점이 있을 것 같아요. (Deo bal-jeon-hal su iss-neun jeom-i iss-eul geot gat-a-yo.) – I think there are areas for improvement.
- 피드백을 주시면 감사하겠습니다. (Pi-deu-baeg-eul ju-si-myeon gam-sa-ha-ges-seum-ni-da.) – I would appreciate your feedback.”
What is the difference between 고생하셨어요 and 수고하셨어요
Both “고생하셨어요” and “수고하셨어요” are expressions used in Korean to express appreciation or acknowledge someone’s hard work, effort, or perseverance. While they are similar in meaning, there is a slight difference in their usage.
- 고생하셨어요
- This expression is used to recognize and appreciate the efforts, hard work, or hardships someone has endured.
- It is often used when someone has overcome challenges, worked tirelessly, or put in a significant amount of effort into a task or project.
- It can be used in various situations, such as after completing a difficult project, accomplishing a personal goal, or going through a tough period in life.
- It conveys a sense of admiration and gratitude for the person’s dedication and perseverance.
- 수고하셨어요
- This expression is used to acknowledge and thank someone for their hard work, effort, or contribution.
- It is commonly used in professional or work-related settings to appreciate someone’s contributions to a project, meeting, or daily tasks.
- It can also be used in daily life to express gratitude to someone who has done something helpful or significant.
- It conveys a sense of respect and gratitude for the person’s work and the impact they have made.
Both expressions are polite forms of appreciation and can be used interchangeably in many situations, but “고생하셨어요” tends to carry a slightly stronger connotation of recognizing someone’s hardships and challenges as 고생 means suffering in Korean.
List of jobs and professions
| Korean | Romanization | English |
| 회계사 | hoe-gye-sa | Accountant |
| 배우 | bae-u | Actor |
| 관리자 | gwan-li-ja | Administrator |
| 광고 전문가 | gwang-go jeon-mun-ga | Advertising specialist |
| 항공우주공학자 | hang-gong-u-ju-gong-hak-ja | Aerospace engineer |
| 구급차 운전사 | gu-geup-cha un-jeon-sa | Ambulance driver |
| 동물 관리인 | dong-mul gwal-li-in | Animal caretaker |
| 인류학자 | in-ryu-hak-ja | Anthropologist |
| 고고학자 | go-go-hak-ja | Archeologist |
| 건축가 | geon-chuk-ga | Architect |
| 보조 | bo-jo | Assistant |
| 선수 | seon-su | Athlete |
| 감사역 | gam-sa-yeok | Auditor |
| 제빵사 | je-ppang-sa | Baker |
| 이발사 | i-bal-sa | Barber |
| 바리스타 | ba-ri-seu-ta | Barista |
| 바텐더 | ba-ten-do | Bartender |
| 생물학자 | saeng-mul-hak-ja | Biologist |
| 부기계원 | bu-gi-gye-won | Bookkeeper |
| 버스 운전사 | beo-seu un-jeon-sa | Bus driver |
| 실업가 | sir-eop-ga | Business(wo)man |
| 정육업자 | jeong-yug-eop-ja | Butcher |
| 목수 | mok-su | Carpenter |
| 출납계원 | chul-lap-gye-won | Cashier |
| 요리사 | yo-ri-sa | Chef |
| 화학자 | hwa-hak-ja | Chemist |
| 육아종사자 | yug-a-jong-sa-ja | Childcare worker |
| 청소부 | cheong-so-bu | Cleaner |
| 코치 | ko-chi | Coach |
| 건설노동자 | geon-seol-no-dong-ja | Construction worker |
| 미용사 | mi-yong-sa | Cosmetologist |
| 상담원 | sang-dam-won | Counsellor |
| 배달원 | bae-dal-won | Courier |
| 고객센터 직원 | go-gaek-sen-teo jig-won | Customer service representative |
| 댄서 | daen-so | Dancer |
| 치위생사 | chi-wi-saeng-sa | Dental assistant |
| 치과 의사 | chi-gwa ui-sa | Dentist |
| 디자이너 | di-jai-no | Designer |
| 영양학자 | yong-yang-hak-ja | Dietitian |
| 감독 | gam-dok | Director |
| 의사 | ui-sa | Doctor |
| 편집자 | pyeon-jip-sa | Editor |
| 전기기사 | jeon-gi-gi-sa | Electrician |
| 농부 | nong-bu | Farmer |
| 금융 상담원 | geum-yung sang-dam-won | Financial advisor |
| 소방관 | so-bang-gwan | Fire fighter |
| 운동 강사 | un-dong gang-sa | Fitness instructor |
| 승무원 | seung-mu-won | Flight attendant |
| 그래픽 디자이너 | geu-rae-pik di-ja-i-neo | Graphic designer |
| 미용사 | mi-yong-sa | Hairdresser |
| 의료계 종사자 | ui-ryo-gye jong-sa-ja | Healthcare worker |
| 호텔 접수원 | ho-tel jeop-su-won | Hotel receptionist |
| 가정부 | ga-jeong-bu | Housekeeper |
| 인사조수 | in-sa-jo-su | Human resources assistant |
| IT 전문가 | IT jeon-mun-ga | IT specialist |
| 관리인 | gwan-li-in | Janitor |
| 기자 | gi-ja | Journalist |
| 판사 | pan-sa | Judge |
| 유치원 교사 | yu-chi-won gyo-sa | Kindergarten teacher |
| 임상병리사 | im-sang-byeong-ri-sa | Laboratory technologist |
| 변호사 | byeon-ho-sa | Lawyer |
| 사서 | sa-seo | Librarian |
| 인명 구조원 | in-myeong gu-jo-won | Lifeguard |
| 자물쇠 장수 | ja-mul-sswe jang-su | Locksmith |
| 우편집배원 | u-pyeon-jip-bae-won | Mailman |
| 관리 직원 | gwaln-li jig-won | Maintenance worker |
| 매니저 | mae-ni-jeo | Manager |
| 마케팅전문가 | ma-ke-ting-jeon-mun-ga | Marketing specialist |
| 정비사 | jeong-bi-sa | Mechanic |
| 음악가 | eum-ak-ga | Musician |
| 보모 | bo-mo | Nanny |
| 간호사 | gan-ho-sa | Nurse |
| 화가 | hwa-ga | Painter |
| 개인간호사 | gae-in-gan-ho-sa | Personal caretaker |
| 개인 트레이너 | gae-in teu-re-i-neo | Personal trainer |
| 약사 | yak-sa | Pharmacist |
| 사진작가 | sa-jin-jak-ga | Photographer |
| 비행사 | bi-haeng-sa | Pilot |
| 배관공 | bae-gwan-gong | Plumber |
| 경찰관 | gyeong-chal-gwan | Policeman |
| 우체국 사무원 | u-che-guk sa-mu-won | Post office clerk |
| 교수 | gyo-su | Professor |
| 프로그래머 | peu-ro-geu-rae-meo | Programmer |
| 심리학자 | sim-ri-hak-ja | Psychologist |
| 부동산 중개인 | bu-dong-san jung-gae-in | Real estate agent |
| 접수 담당자 | jeop-su dam-dang-ja | Receptionist |
| 보고자 | bo-go-sa | Reporter |
| 판매원 | pan-mae-won | Sales person |
| 학교장 | hak-gyo-jang | School principal |
| 비서 | bi-seo | Secretary |
| 경비원 | gyeong-bi-won | Security guard |
| 사회복지사 | sa-hoe-bok-ji-sa | Social worker |
| 군인 | gun-in | Soldier |
| 스타일리스트 | seu-ta-il-li-seu-teu | Stylist |
| 외과의 | ui-gwa-e | Surgeon |
| 택시 운전사 | taek-si un-jeon-sa | Taxi driver |
| 선생님 | seon-saeng-nim | Teacher |
| 텔레마케터 | tel-le-ma-ke-teo | Telemarketer |
| 관광 가이드 | gwan-gwang ga-i-deu | Tour guide |
| 여행사 직원 | yeo-haeng-sa jig-won | Travel agent |
| 트럭 운전사 | teu-reok un-jeon-sa | Truck driver |
| 수의사 | su-ui-sa | Veterinarian |
| 웨이터 | we-i-teo | Waiter |
| 작가 | jak-ga | Writer |
Activity 1
Find as many words as you can.
Activity 1 Answers
